Vietnam Golf Coast (VGC), a freshly rebooted destination marketing initiative that links Central Vietnam’s best clubs, is boosting the next generation of Vietnamese stars via world-class events and grassroots initiatives.
With an array of championship layouts designed by the likes of Sir Nick Faldo, Luke Donald, Greg Norman, and Robert Trent Jones Jr, the region has emerged as one of the world’s most exciting destinations for golf.
And it flourished in the spotlight at the end of April as the Faldo Series Asia – one of the world’s most celebrated junior circuits – returned to Laguna Golf Lang Co.
The final leaderboard for the event had a decidedly local flavor. A final round of 67 saw homegrown hero Nguyen Anh Minh take top honors at the event. Minh (16) made history by becoming the first Vietnamese to emerge as the Faldo Series Asia Champion.
Further back, Vietnamese youngster Le Khanh Hung was tied for third place. Other Vietnamese in the top ten were Nguyen Dang Minh (8th) and Nguyen Duc Son (9th).
The strong showing by young local stars reflects increased domestic engagement with the game. And with events like the Faldo Series Asia Grand Final providing a stage for Vietnamese starlets along with the best Asian juniors, the VGC is offering significant guidance for the stars of tomorrow.
“Our long-term status as the home hub for the Faldo Series Asia Grand Final reflects our support for the junior game in Vietnam and throughout Asia,” said Adam Calver Director of Golf and Destination Marketing at Laguna Lang Co, one of the driving forces in the VGC. “Therefore, it’s fantastic to see a Vietnamese Champion and strong performances from other Vietnamese juniors claiming four of the top 10 spots. The future for golf in Vietnam is looking very bright.”
The Faldo Series, which has nurtured major winners including Rory McIlroy, Danny Willet, and Yani Tseng, has named Laguna Lang Co as its home hub in Asia until 2026.
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And VGC clubs are doubling down on their commitment to supporting the junior game via initiatives including discounted green fees and youth coaching programs.
“How do we find the stars of the future? Let them play!” said Gary Dixon, general manager at Ba Na Hills Golf Club. “The future of golf in Vietnam is in the hands of the juniors, and we are determined to be at the vanguard of efforts to help their development.”
Indeed, with incredible courses and family-friendly lifestyle attributes including beaches and luxury resorts like the InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort, the award-winning properties at Laguna Lang Co — Banyan Tree Lang Co and Angsana Lang Co — and an array of other world-class hotel brands, Central Vietnam is a perfect base for Vietnamese and other juniors who want to hone their skills.
Layouts such as Laguna Golf Lang Co, a Sir Nick Faldo Signature Design, and Ba Na Hills Golf Club, laid out by British former Ryder Cup star Luke Donald over rolling foothills, are ranked among Asia’s best courses. Other highlights, meanwhile, include courses designed by luminaries including Greg Norman, Colin Montgomerie, Robert Trent Jones Jr., and Jack Nicklaus.
“Central Vietnam has an unparalleled cluster of international standard clubs within easy reach of each other,” added Dixon. “It’s the perfect base for juniors who want to develop to the very highest level.”
